Hospital infection prevention professionals strive to create an environment that ensures patient safety by maintaining sterile technique and averting surgical site infections. One of the keys to achieving this is having a well-trained perioperative nursing staff who understand real-world surgical procedures. However, the transition from foundational education to surgical competence can be a challenging one.
At the 2026 AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) Global Surgical Conference & Expo, an innovative solution to this challenge was discussed – a service-line-specific Scrub Bootcamp. The program, highlighted in a poster presentation by the Cleveland Clinic, aims to bridge the gap between general operating room (OR) residency training and the specialized skills required in the operating room.
The Scrub Bootcamp emphasizes hands-on learning with real-world expectations. Rather than solely observing or learning on the job, participants get to practice in a controlled environment that mirrors actual surgical workflows. The program accentuates high-impact technical skills and time-sensitive execution. It fosters a supportive learning atmosphere that encourages questions, thereby reducing anxiety and building trust – critical attributes in a perioperative setting.
On completion of the program, nurses report increased confidence and a firm understanding of surgical workflows, ensuring smoother transitions into clinical roles. The Scrub Bootcamp is scalable and adaptable across specialties and institutions, proving advantageous for healthcare systems seeking to strengthen their perioperative teams in the face of staffing challenges.
Taking a holistic view, the program helps to address systemic challenges in perioperative education such as inconsistent precepting, service line differences, and limited hands-on practice opportunities. The Scrub Bootcamp program’s combination of hands-on training, structured assessment, and supportive learning environment acts as a promising model to bridge knowledge gaps and prepare perioperative nurses for the pressures of the operating room. Staff success empowered by targeted, practical education is fundamental for patient safety.